• The sports car with rear-wheel drive is now a fixed element of the portfolio
• New exterior design analogue to the revised R8 quattro versions for the series production model and racing car
• 5.2-litre naturally aspirated V10 engine accelerates from zero to 100 km/h in 3.7 seconds

"We launched a limited series of the Audi R8 V10 RWS at the beginning of 2018," says Oliver Hoffmann, Managing Director of Audi Sport GmbH.

"Its rear-wheel drive derived from the R8-LMS racing car, and the special dynamics sparked our customers' enthusiasm right away. Now it will become part of the R8 family as a separate model, the R8 V10 RWD. And we are giving it the same sharp look with which we designed the new R8 quattro models. At the same time as we are releasing the series production model, we are also offering the R8 LMS GT4 racing car with a new look."

The new design features perfectly highlight the dynamics of the Audi R8 V10 RWD, which is available as a Coupé and Spyder. The Singleframe is broader and flatter, and the slits below the hood are reminiscent of the brand's icon, the Audi Sport quattro.

The air inlets, the front splitter and in particular the air outlet grille at the rear have become broader. The diffuser, which is flanked by two oval tailpipes, has moved further upward. In the engine compartment, the air filter is situated under a new cover, which is available in a choice of plastic or carbon-fibre.

The sideblades of the R8 V10 RWD hint at the model's special status: The top blade is designed in glossy mythos black, while the bottom blade is painted in the colour of the vehicle. The front blade, the side sill inserts and the diffuser are painted in gloss black as standard. The carbon styling package and, for the Spyder, an extended black styling package are available as an alternative. Kemora grey has been added to the colour chart. As an option, the Audi rings and logo are painted in high-gloss black. Inside, the driver and passenger sit in sport seats covered in leather and Alcantara. A shiny badge with the 'RWD' logo is fitted across from the front passenger.

The heart of the high-performance sports car: the 5.2 FSI

The heart of the Audi R8 V10 RWD high-performance sports car beats behind the passenger cell. The naturally aspirated V10 inspires pure fascination, with an incomparable sound, lightning-fast response and immense torque. The 5.2 FSI delivers 397 kW and at 6,500 rpm, it achieves a maximum torque of 540 Nm that is transferred to the rear wheels via a seven-speed S tronic and a mechanical locking differential.

The R8 V10 RWD Coupé catapults itself and the driver from 0 to 100 km/h  in 3.7 seconds, and its propulsion ends at 320 km/h. The values for the Spyder are 3.8 seconds and 318 km/h.

Extreme vehicle dynamics for perfection

The rear-wheel drive of the R8 V10 RWD provides a very special kind of driving pleasure. If sport mode is activated in connection with the Electronic Stabilization Control ESC, the suspension setup and control system even allow controlled drifting. The power steering ensures intense contact with the road. The Audi R8 V10 RWD rolls standard on black 19-inch forged wheels with 245/35 tires up front and 295/35 tires at the rear. 20-inch wheels and sport tires are also available; they improve the dynamics, grip and deceleration under high loads and requirements even further.

The axle load distribution is 40:60. The Coupé (empty and without the driver) weighs just 1,595 kilograms – the omission of the propeller shaft, the quattro multi-plate clutches and front axle differential make the R8 V10 RWD around 65 kilograms lighter than the R8 quattro model. Weighing 1,695 kilograms, the R8 Spyder V10 RWD is 55 kg lighter than the R8 Spyder V10 quattro. Like all R8 models, it features an Audi Space Frame (ASF) body made of aluminium and large parts of carbon-fibre-reinforced polymer (CFRP).

The R8 V10 RWD is produced, largely by hand, at the 'Böllinger Höfe production facility at the Audi location in Neckarsulm.

Australian information

The R8 V10 RWD will arrive in Australia mid-2020, along with the rest of the refreshed Audi R8 range.

The race car: Audi R8 LMS GT4

The GT4 race car, which is directly derived from the production model with about 60 percent carry-over parts and, like the road-going version, is being produced at Böllinger Höfe at the Neckarsulm location is exclusively intended for privateer drivers. Since 2018, the previous model has clinched as many as 17 titles worldwide in racing, and now the freshly refined version has arrived. With visual cues taken directly from the production model, the new race car impresses with driving dynamics having been enhanced once again. The 5.2-litre V10 engine, delivering up to 364 kW as specified by the regulations, powers the race car via a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission.

Two innovations make it easier for drivers to battle for points and trophies even in challenging conditions. For the first time, the ABS braking and TC traction control systems can be precisely adjusted. The program characteristics allow for eight different settings, respectively, which the driver can individually select, depending on weather, track conditions and tire grip, etc. in racing. For this purpose, the Audi R8 LMS GT4 is equipped with the steering wheel of the GT2 racing version. The two rotary switches for ABS and TC are centrally located in the steering wheel, directly within the drivers' view. This allows them to immediately respond to new challenges and to configure their personal setup of both systems while keeping their eyes focused on the race track. As most GT4 racing series prescribe driver changes, individual preferences can be easily and accurately selected before and after the pit stop. With these enhanced setup options, the drivers of the Audi R8 LMS GT4 are now even more competitive. Currently, there are 27 fielding opportunities in America, Asia, Australia, Europe and South Africa. Most of them exist in full-season championships, but also in stand-alone events such as the 24-hour races at the Nürburgring and in Dubai. The Audi Sport Seyffarth R8 LMS Cup in Europe and the Audi Sport R8 LMS Cup with rounds in Asia and Australia offer entrants the opportunity to compete against each other in identical cars. In the remainder of the events, the Audi R8 LMS GT4 is pitted against the competition of up to eleven models from other manufacturers. Fields of 40 entrants and more are not uncommon in GT4 racing.

Further Information
Basic information on the Audi R8 LMS GT4

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NOTE TO EDITORS: This MediaInfo is intended for a global audience, and elements of it may not accurately reflect Australian features, specifications or timeframes unless specifically stated otherwise.

The Audi Group, with its brands Audi, Ducati and Lamborghini, is one of the most successful manufacturers of automobiles and motorcycles in the premium segment. It is present in more than 100 markets worldwide and produces at 16 locations in twelve countries. 100 percent subsidiaries of AUDI AG include Audi Sport GmbH (Neckarsulm), Automobili Lamborghini S.p.A. (Sant'Agata Bolognese, Italy) and Ducati Motor Holding S.p.A. (Bologna, Italy).
In 2017, the Audi Group delivered to customers about 1.878 million automobiles of the Audi brand, 3,815 sports cars of the Lamborghini brand and 55,900 motorcycles of the Ducati brand. In the 2017 fiscal year, AUDI AG achieved total revenue of €60.1 billion and an operating profit of €5.1 billion. At present, approximately 90,000 people work for the company all over the world, more than 60,000 of them in Germany. Audi focuses on sustainable products and technologies for the future of mobility.